Apparatus, systems and methods for electronic program guide information presented on a display

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are operable to present an enhanced electronic program guide (EPG). The enhanced EPG comprises a reduced size video, a mini guide, a single channel guide bar, and an optional preview guide bar.

BACKGROUND

Media devices, such as a set top box, are configured to receive mediacontent events (referred to herein interchangeably as a “program”) froma broadcasting system. Non-limiting examples of media content eventsinclude movies, news programs, sporting events, serial comedies ordramas, and other thematic-based media content even programming. Mediacontent evens may also include advertisements, commercials or the like.

The media content events may be communicated to the media device by aprogram service provider over the broadcasting system. Non-limitingexamples of broadcasting systems include satellite systems, cable orother wire-based systems, or over the air (OTA) broadcasting systems.Media content events may also be accessed from other sources, such as aweb site or an on-demand content source via the Internet or othersuitable communication system.

A legacy electronic program guide (EPG) may be used to present programviewing selection choices to a user. The legacy EPG has the look andfeel of a table that uses a combination of text and/or symbols toindicate the program viewing choices that may be selected by the user.The legacy EPG is a type of a user interface that presents a menu, or aseries of menus, that describe available programs that are available forpresentation.

Typically, a first vertical bar (shown on the left-hand side of the EPG)indicates various program provider sources (referred to hereininterchangeably as a “station”) of the available programming. Thevertical column in typically divided into a series of blocks (referredto herein interchangeably as a “legacy channel information block”),wherein each legacy channel information block presents information thatidentifies one of a plurality of different stations.

Stations are typically identified by an assigned channel identifier. Theidentifier is typically a numeral (referred to herein interchangeably asa “channel number”), that is indicated in the legacy channel informationblock. Further, a station is also identified in the legacy channelinformation block by an assigned call sign (referred to hereininterchangeably as call letters). The call letters of a station istypically a series of three or more letters or other alpha numericcharacters. The call letters intuitively identifies the station to theuser. For example, a particular station may be identified using achannel number of 123 and the call letters “XYZ” that have been assignedto a particular station. When the user views a legacy channelinformation block with the call letters “XYZ” on a presented legacy EPG,the user intuitively recognizes that particular station. Over time, theuser may associate the station and its call sign with the assignedchannel number.

Other textual and/or image information may also be indicated in a legacychannel information block, such as, but not limited to, characteristicsthat describe typical content provided by the station or location of thestation identified in the legacy channel information block. For example,a legacy channel information block may include the text “Denver News” toindicate to the user that the station is located in Denver and that thestation typically is presenting news related information in its variousprograms. The legacy channel information block may also include animage, such as a logo, a trademarked graphical icon, or the like that isnotoriously well known to the public as being associated with thatparticular station.

Typically, the legacy channel information block identifying a pluralityof available stations are arranged on the presented legacy EPG inconsecutive order based on the station's channel number. However, alegacy EPG may be configured to present legacy channel informationblocks in an order based on genre, type of content, or othercharacteristics. The characteristics may be user specified or userselected. For example, a legacy EPG may present a plurality of legacychannel information blocks that are associated with the user's favoritechannels. As another example, a plurality of legacy channel informationblocks identifying stations that present movies, children's programming,sporting events, news programming, or the like.

A presented legacy EPG also indicates information pertaining toavailable programs that are provided by each of the various stations.Typically, information describing an individual program is presented ina block (referred to herein interchangeably as a “legacy programinformation block”). The width of a legacy program information blockvaries based on the duration of that particular program. For example,the legacy program information block for a two hour long movie may befour times as long (wide) as a legacy program information block for ahalf hour serial program.

Typically, the display area of a legacy EPG that presents a plurality oflegacy program information blocks (referred to herein interchangeably asthe “program information block display field”) has a sufficient width topermit display of a plurality of legacy program information blocksindicating available programs over some predefined span of time. Thus, atime ordered series of legacy program information blocks may bepresented in the horizontal bar that spans the particular time periodshown on the legacy EPG (wherein the time period corresponds to thetotal width of the horizontal bar of legacy program information blocks).The horizontal row of legacy program information blocks indicatingprogramming available from a particular station are aligned with thelegacy channel information block of that station so that the viewinguser intuitively understands that the programs in a particularhorizontal bar of legacy program information blocks are being providedby the station indicated in the aligned legacy channel informationblock.

Preferably, the legacy EPG further includes a supplemental horizontalbar that indicates a time scale (referred to herein interchangeably asthe “time scale bar”). The legacy time scale bar typically is a timescale that demarks time units. The legacy time scale bar is typicallydivided up by units of time corresponding to the hour or half hour.Hours of the day may be used to indicate particular units of time.Further, the date and/or day of the week may be indicated on the legacytime scale bar. The legacy time scale bar may be shown above or belowthe field of the legacy EPG that presents the plurality of channelinformation blocks and the associated legacy program information blocks.

Information presented in a particular legacy program information blockmay include the title of available program, and optionally a brieftextual description of the program. Some legacy EPGs may be configuredto present an image and/or a short thumbnail video clip in a legacyprogram information block. Since any particular legacy programinformation block is arranged in a horizontal bar that is aligned withthe station that is providing that program, the user intuitivelyidentifies the particular station providing the program. Further, sincethe legacy program information blocks are arranged in a time orderedsequence, the user intuitively appreciates the scheduled time and dateof the program presentation because each individual legacy programinformation block is in vertical alignment with a particular unit oftime shown on the presented time scale bar.

A presented legacy EPG is interactive with the user. Accordingly, theuser is able to “scroll” or “navigate” about the legacy EPG to select aprogram of interest. Typically, a currently active legacy programinformation block is indicated using a suitable focusing means such thatthe visibility of the focused legacy program information block ishighlighted, thus increasing the awareness of the focused legacy programinformation block to a user viewing the legacy EPG. Focusing may beimplemented by using any suitable highlighting means, such as using apredefined color for text font and/or background, using a predefinedbackground fill pattern, using a heightened brightness or the like.Accordingly, the focusing differentiates the active legacy programinformation block from other legacy program information blocks indicatedon the legacy EPG.

If the user selects a particular active legacy program information blockidentifying a program that is currently being broadcast, thepresentation on the display automatically changes from presentation ofthe legacy EPG to presentation of that particular program associatedwith the selected active legacy program information block. If the activelegacy program information block identifies a program that is scheduledfor presentation at some future time, then an optional recording featuremay be automatically executed such that when that particular program isbroadcasted at its scheduled time, the program is automatically recordedby a media device that is receiving the program.

A current problem in the arts is that legacy EPGs are inherently limitedin the amount of information that can be presented at a single moment bythe size (dimensions) of the display that is presenting the legacy EPGto a user. For example, a limited number of legacy channel informationblocks may be shown in a vertical column of the legacy EPG due to theheight of the display. For example, a legacy EPG may be limited topresenting scheduled programming for ten stations (ten legacy channelinformation blocks in the vertical channel). If a greater number oflegacy channel information blocks are included in the vertical column,the font size of the information presented in each legacy channelinformation block must be reduced in view of the height of the display,and therefore may become so small that the user will not be able to read(discern) the information therein.

Further, the number of legacy program information blocks that may beshown in any single horizontal bar is limited by the horizontaldimension of the legacy time scale bar. That is, the legacy time scalebar is only able to span a limited duration because of the limitingwidth of the display that is presenting the legacy EPG. Therefore, thenumber of legacy program information blocks that may be indicated for aparticular station is limited by the limited span of the time scale barand the sum of the widths of each particular legacy program informationblock (wherein the width of each particular legacy program informationblock corresponds to the duration of time that is required forpresentation of that particular program). Also, the width of the legacychannel information block is defined by a left edge of the legacy EPGand the start of the legacy time scale bar (particularly since any addedwidth made to the legacy channel information block decreases theavailable width for the legacy time scale bar).

To view information about other available stations that are notcurrently indicated on a presented legacy EPG, the user may page upwardor downwards, and/or scroll upward or downwards, to change presentationof legacy channel information blocks that indicate the other availablestations. For example, a legacy EPG may be limited to presenting tenlegacy channel information blocks for stations having channelidentifiers 100 through 109. If the user wishes to view availableprogramming on the station having the channel identifier 110 (which isnot indicated on the currently presented legacy EPG), the user simplypages downward one time (wherein stations having channel identifiers 110through 119 are then displayed on the legacy EPG). Alternatively, theuser may simply scroll down one channel information block (whereinstations having channel identifiers 101 through 110 are then displayedon the legacy EPG). Search functions may also be available, wherein theuser enters a station or channel identifier of interest, which thencauses to legacy EPG to display a group of legacy channel informationblocks that include the specified station or channel identifier ofinterest.

To view information about available media content events that may beavailable beyond the limited duration of the horizontal bar of the EPG,the user can similarly “page” forward in time, or “scroll” forward intime, to thereby cause presentation of legacy program information blocksfor future scheduled programs. For example, the user may page forward inincrements of time corresponding to the duration of the time scale bar.Here, a single paging operation made to a legacy EPG with a time scalebar that spans six hours will then cause the legacy EPG to indicateavailable programs scheduled for presentation over the next six hours.

Alternatively, or additionally, the user may scroll to the right throughthe presented series of legacy program information blocks on anyparticular horizontal row, and when the last presented legacy programinformation block becomes focused, a next scroll operation will shiftthe series of presented legacy program information blocks be one unit oftime (of the time scale bar). Accordingly, the legacy programinformation block for the next scheduled program is then indicated.Furthermore, the scrolling causes all of the legacy program informationblocks for other stations presented on the legacy EPG to increment tothe right by one unit of time. After the user has paged and/or scrolledforward in time, the user may then page and/or scroll backwards in timeon the legacy EPG.

However, the process of paging and/or scrolling to view additionalavailable programs scheduled for presentation by a particular stationcan be relatively time consuming and cumbersome to the user.Accordingly, there is a need in the arts for an improved EPG that allowsa user to more readily access information related to availableprogramming.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods of generating and presenting an enhanced electronicprogram guide (EPG). The enhanced EPG comprises a reduced size video, amini guide, a single channel guide bar, and an optional preview guidebar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative embodiments are described in detail below withreference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a media content eventinformation system provisioned in a media device operating in an exampleenvironment;

FIG. 2 is an example diagram of an enhanced electronic program guide(EPG) initially generated by an embodiment of the media content eventinformation system; and

FIGS. 3-5 are example diagrams of an enhanced EPG generated at a latertime by an embodiment of the media content event information system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a media content eventinformation system 100 provisioned in a media device 102. The exemplarymedia device 102 receives a plurality of programs in a media contentstream 104.

Embodiments of the media content event information system 100 areconfigured to construct and present an enhanced Electronic Program Guide(EPG) 106 that provides improvements over conventional legacy EPGs. Themedia content event information system 100 generates an enhanced EPG 106that presents a greater amount of information and/or more relevantinformation about available programming than is possible on a legacyEPG.

An exemplary media device 102 includes, but is not limited to, a set topbox (STB) that is communicatively coupled to a broadcast system (notshown). Other embodiments of the media device 102 include a television(TV), a digital video disc (DVD) player/recorder, a Blue-rayplayer/recorder, a game playing device, or a personal computer (PC). Themedia device 102 is configured to present selected media content eventsthat are received in the media content stream 104.

The media content stream 104 may comprise one or more streaming mediacontent events (referred to herein interchangeably as a “program”)provided from the media content broadcast facility over the broadcastsystem (not shown) operated by a media content service provider.Non-limiting examples of broadcasting systems include satellite systems,cable or other wire-based systems, or over the air (OTA) broadcastingsystems. Since the media content service provider is providing contentfrom many individual program provider sources (referred to hereininterchangeably as a “station”), or even thousands of differentstations, some broadcasting systems provide a plurality of differentmedia content streams 104 each providing content from one or moredifferent stations.

The exemplary media device 102 is communicatively coupled to a mediapresentation system 108 that includes a visual display device 110, suchas a television (hereafter, generically a TV), and an audio presentationdevice 112, such as a surround sound receiver controlling an audioreproduction device (hereafter, generically, a speaker 114). Other typesof output devices may also be coupled to the media device 102, includingthose providing any sort of stimuli sensible by a human being, such astemperature, vibration and the like. The video portion of the mediacontent event is displayed on a display 116 and the audio portion of themedia content event is reproduced as sounds by one or more speakers 114.In some embodiments, the media device 102 and one or more of thecomponents of the media presentation system 108 may be integrated into asingle electronic device. The video portion of the streamed mediacontent is displayed on the display 116 and the audio portion of thestreamed media content is reproduced as sounds by the speakers 114.

The non-limiting exemplary media device 102 comprises a media contentstream interface 118, a processor system 120, a memory medium 122, aprogram buffer 124, an optional digital video recorder (DVR) 126, apresentation device interface 128, and a remote interface 130. Thememory medium 122 comprises portions for storing the media device logic132, the electronic program guide (EPG) information 134, an optionalbrowser 136, and the enhanced EPG generation logic 138. In someembodiments, the media device logic 132 and the enhanced EPG generationlogic 138 may be integrated together, and/or may be integrated withother logic. In other embodiments, some or all of these memory and otherdata manipulation functions may be provided by and using remote serveror other electronic devices suitably connected via the Internet orotherwise to a client device. Other media devices may include some, ormay omit some, of the above-described media processing components.Further, additional components not described herein may be included inalternative embodiments.

The functionality of the media device 102, here a set top box, is nowbroadly described. A media content service provider provides mediacontent that is received in one or more multiple media content streams104 multiplexed together in one or more transport channels. Thetransport channels with the media content streams 104 are communicatedto the media device 102 from a media system sourced from a remote headend facility (not shown) operated by the media content service provider.Non-limiting examples of such media systems include satellite systems,cable system, and the Internet. For example, if the media contentprovider provides programming via a satellite-based communicationsystem, the media device 102 is configured to receive one or morebroadcasted satellite signals detected by an antenna (not shown).Alternatively, or additionally, the media content stream 104 can bereceived from one or more different sources, such as, but not limitedto, a cable system, a radio frequency (RF) communication system, or theInternet.

The one or more media content streams 104 are received by the mediacontent stream interface 118. In a broadcast environment, one or moretuners 118 a in the media content stream interface 118 selectively tuneto one of the media content streams 104 in accordance with instructionsreceived from the processor system 120. The processor system 120,executing the media device logic 132 and based upon a request for aparticular program of interest specified by a user, parses out mediacontent associated with the specified program. The program is thenassembled into a stream of video and/or audio information which may bestored by the program buffer 124 such that the media content of theprogram can be streamed out to components of the media presentationsystem 108, such as the visual display device 110 and/or the audiopresentation device 112, via the presentation device interface 128.Alternatively, or additionally, the parsed out media content may besaved into the DVR 126 for later presentation. The DVR 126 may bedirectly provided in, locally connected to, or remotely connected to,the media device 102. In alternative embodiments, the media contentstreams 104 may stored for later decompression, processing and/ordecryption.

From time to time, information populating the EPG information 134portion of the memory medium 122 is communicated to the media device102, via the media content stream 104 or via another suitable contentdistribution system. The EPG information 134 stores informationpertaining to the scheduled programming of a plurality of differentprograms that are available from the plurality of different stations.The information stored in the EPG information 134 portion of the memorymedium 122 may include, but is not limited to, a scheduled presentationstart and/or end time for each program (or a start time and a durationof the program), a channel number and/or station call letters, anddescriptive information about each program, station, and/or channel. Theprogram's descriptive information (program identification information orthe like) may include the title of the program, names of performers oractors, date of creation, and a summary describing the nature of themedia content event. Any suitable information may be included in theprogram's descriptive information, including thumbnail images and/orshort duration thumbnail video clips. Upon receipt of a command from theuser requesting presentation of an EPG, the information in the EPGinformation 134 is retrieved, formatted, and then presented on thedisplay 116 as an enhanced EPG 106.

Some enhanced EPG 106 may include presentation of a thumbnail imageand/or a thumbnail video clip. A thumbnail image is a small sized stillimage that imparts information pertaining to a particular program. Athumbnail video clip is a short duration video that imparts informationpertaining to a particular program. The thumbnail image and/or thumbnailimage clip is small enough in size to be included in an enhanced EPG 106that is being presented on the display 116.

The exemplary media device 102 is configured to receive commands from auser via a remote control 140. The remote control 140 includes one ormore controllers 142 disposed on the surface of the remote control 140.The user, by actuating one or more of the controllers 142, causes theremote control 140 to generate and transmit commands, via a wirelesssignal 144, to the media device 102. The commands control the mediadevice 102 and/or control the components of the media presentationsystem 108. The wireless signal 144 may be an infrared (IR) signal or aradio frequency (RF) signal that is detectable by the remote interface130.

The processes performed by the media device 102 relating to theprocessing of the received media content stream 104 and communication ofa presentable media content event to the components of the mediapresentation system 106 are generally implemented by the processorsystem 120 while executing the media device logic 132. Thus, the mediadevice 102 may perform a variety of functions related to the processingand presentation of one or more programs (media content events) receivedin the media content stream 104.

FIG. 2 is an example diagram of an enhanced EPG 106 initially generatedby an embodiment of the media content event information system 100.Initial generation of the enhanced EPG 106 may be initiated by the useractuation of one or more of the controllers 142 on their remote control140 (FIG. 1).

The example enhanced EPG 106 comprises four regions that presentinformation to a viewing user. The first region 202 of the enhanced EPG106 is a reduced size image of the video portion of the currentlypresented program. The second region 204 of the enhanced EPG 106 isreferred to herein as a “mini guide.” The third region of the enhancedEPG 106 is a single channel guide bar 206. The fourth region 208 of theenhanced EPG 106 is a preview guide bar. Hereinafter, these four regionsare referred to interchangeably as the reduced size video 202, the miniguide 204, the single channel guide bar 206, and the preview guide bar208.

The reduced size video 202 is a continuing presentation of the videoportion of the program that was being presented at the time that theuser initiated presentation of the enhanced EPG 106. By reducing thepresentation size of the full screen display of the video portion of theprogram to the reduced size video 202, additional space on the display116 becomes available for presentation of the mini guide 204, the singlechannel guide bar 206, and/or the preview guide bar 208. Preferably, thereduced size video 202 utilizes from 50% to 20% of the area of thedisplay 116.

In FIG. 2, the reduced size video 202 is conceptually illustrated as animage 202 a of a business woman looking at a street sign while walkingdown a city street. Here, the reduced size video 202 is utilizingapproximately 30% of the area of the display 116, and is located in theupper right hand corner of the display 116. In alternative embodiments,the area of the reduced size video 202 may vary and/or may reside inalternative locations on the display 116.

Presentation of the audio portion of the currently presented programalso continues in an exemplary embodiment of the enhanced EPG 106.Accordingly, the user is able to view program viewing choicesconcurrently their continued viewing of the video portion and listeningto the audio portion of the currently presented program.

The mini guide 204 comprises a header region 210, a first vertical bar212 and a second vertical bar 214. The header region 210 presents theword “mini guide” to indicate to the viewing user that this region ofthe enhanced EPG 106 is a small scale version of an EPG that isindicating currently available programs available from the identifiedstations. In other embodiments, any suitable phrase, image or the likemay be used to indicate the mini guide 204 in the designated region ofthe enhanced EPG 106.

The first vertical bar 212 of the mini guide 204 (shown on the left-handside of the mini guide 204) presents information identifying variousprogram provider sources (referred to herein interchangeably as a“station”). The first vertical bar 212 is divided into a series ofblocks (referred to herein interchangeably as a “channel informationblock”) stacked on top of each other to from a first vertically orientedcolumn. In each channel information block, information is presented thatidentifies one of a plurality of different stations. The informationpresented in a channel information block in the mini guide 204 may bethe same as, or similar to, the information that is presented in alegacy channel information block of a legacy EPG.

As noted herein, the width of the legacy channel information block isdefined by a left edge of the legacy EPG and the start of the legacytime scale bar. In contrast, a channel information block of an enhancedEPG 106 is not limited by the constraints that limit the width of thelegacy channel information block. Any width may be selected for thechannel information block in the mini guide 204. Accordingly, moreinformation may be presented in the channel information blocks of a miniguide 204 that is possible using legacy channel information blocks.

The second vertical bar 214 of the mini guide 204 (shown on theright-hand side of the mini guide 204) presents information identifyingthe available program that is currently being presented by the stationof the horizontally adjacent channel information block. The secondvertical bar 214 is divided into a series of blocks (referred to hereininterchangeably as a “program information block”) stacked on top of eachother to form a second vertically oriented column. In each programinformation block, information is presented that identifies the programthat is currently being presented by that corresponding station (that isindicated in the adjacent and horizontally aligned channel informationblock). The information presented in a program information block in themini guide 204 may be the same as, or similar to, the information thatis presented in a legacy program information block of a legacy EPG.

When a user views the example enhanced EPG 106, the user understandsthat the station at the top of the first vertical bar 212 (STATION A) iscurrently presenting a program identified in the top most block of thesecond vertical bar (PROG A-1). Similarly, the viewing user understandsthat the next station identified in the first vertical bar 212 (STATIONB) is currently presenting a program identified in the adjacent block ofthe second vertical bar (PROG B-1).

As noted herein, the width of the legacy program information block isdefined by the time scale units of a legacy time scale bar and theduration of that program. For example, if a program indicated on alegacy EPG has a one hour duration, then the width of the legacy programinformation block necessarily corresponds to the width of the legacytime scale bar that spans a one hour period. Similarly, if a programindicated on a legacy EPG has a half hour duration, then the width ofthe legacy program information block necessarily corresponds to thewidth of the legacy time scale bar that spans a one half hour period.Accordingly, less information can be presented about a half hourduration program indicated in a legacy program information block as canbe presented about an hour long program indicated in a legacy programinformation block.

In contrast, a channel information block of the mini guide 204 is notlimited by time scale bar constraints which otherwise limit width oflegacy channel information blocks. Any width may be selected for thechannel information block in the mini guide 204. Accordingly, anysuitable amount of information may be presented in the channelinformation blocks of a mini guide 204. Here, the same amount ofinformation can be presented pertaining to a half hour duration programindicated in a program information block of a mini guide 204 as can bepresented about an hour long program indicated in another programinformation block of the mini guide 204.

Furthermore, in an example embodiment, program information blocks of themini guide 204 presented in an enhanced EPG 106 all have the same width.In contrast, the width of legacy program information blocks of a legacyEPG will be different depending upon the duration of the currentlypresented program. Often, particularly when the user is not interestedin a program that is being currently presented by a different station,the user is inherently not interested in learning about non-relevantinformation, such as the duration of that uninteresting program. Withthe mini guide 204, the amount of relevant information imparted to theuser can be reduced in that the user simply understands which program isbeing currently presented (based on presented program identifyinformation) by a particular station (identified by the adjacent channelinformation block shown in the enhanced EPG 106).

Further, the user may not be interested in knowing what programs arebeing broadcast at later times on the station otherwise identified in alegacy EPG. Since the user is likely not interested in such laterprogramming, later presented programming is omitted from the mini guide204. Accordingly, a region of the enhanced EPG 106 now becomes availablefor presentation of other information that is likely to be of greaterinterest or relevance to the user, such as presentation of the examplereduced size video 202 That is, since additional legacy programinformation blocks for a plurality of future scheduled programs are notincluded in the mini guide 204 of the enhanced EPG 106, a larger sizedregion on the enhanced EPG 106 is available for presentation of thereduced size video 202.

Another problem encountered with legacy EPGs occurs when programbroadcast or a particular program has been underway for some priorperiod of time prior to generation and presentation of the legacy EPG.Here, the remaining width of the legacy program information block may besomewhat misleading to a user who is viewing the legacy EPG. Forexample, if a program is a four hour special event program that has beenunderway for three hours, a user viewing the legacy EPG may erroneouslyconclude that the program duration is one hour (since the duration ofthe legacy time scale bar of one hour defines the width of the legacyprogram information block presented on the legacy EPG, and thereby failsto indicate the start time of that particular program three hoursearlier). Thus, there is less likelihood of the user being misinformedwhen viewing the mini guide 204 presented by an enhanced EPG 106 sinceno time scale is associated with the width of the program informationblock of the mini guide 204.

In the event that the user has focused on one of the channel informationblocks or program information blocks of the mini guide 204, a subsequentoperation of one of the controllers 142 of the remote control 140 willcause an end of presentation of the enhanced EPG 106, which is thenfollowed by presentation of the program associated with the selectedchannel or program information block of the mini guide 204. That is, theuser us able to change channels via the enhanced EPG 106. In anembodiment of the media device 102 having a single tuner 118 a (FIG. 1),the processor system 120 operates the tuner 118 a to tune to the mediacontent stream 104 having the selected channel, wherein the selectedprogram is then parsed out and assembled into the stream of video andaudio content that is presented by component of the media presentationsystem 108. In embodiments with multiple tuners 118 a, the processorsystem 120 selects one of the tuners 118 a and then re-tunes theselected tuner 118 a to the media content stream 104 having the channeland/or program block that is currently focused on the mini guide 204.Then, if the user selects that focused on channel or program forpresentation, the program may be more quickly presented since theselected tuner 118 a is already pre-tuned to that media content stream104.

The single channel guide bar 206 comprises a time scale bar 216 and aprogram information guide bar 218. The time scale bar 216 of the singlechannel guide bar 206 may be configured the same as, or similar to, theabove-described legacy time scale bar. The time scale bar 216 ishorizontal bar that indicates a time scale that is demarked by timeunits. The time scale bar 216 is preferably divided up by units of timecorresponding to the hour or half hour. Hours of the day may be used toindicate particular units of time. The time scale bar 216 may be shownabove or below the plurality of channel information blocks and theassociated program information blocks presented in the single channelguide bar 206.

The farthest left hand side block of the time scale bar 216 mayoptionally indicate the current day and/or date of the week may beindicated on the time scale bar 216 of the single channel guide bar 206.In some embodiments, this farthest left hand block may be blank (presentno information).

When a user initially causes the media device 102 to generate andpresent an enhanced EPG 106 on the display 116 (FIG. 1), the current dayis indicated (“Today”) and optionally the calendar date (11/25/15, whichcorresponds to Nov. 25, 2015). The day and/or date information changesas necessary as the user pages or scrolls towards the right to viewinformation about future scheduled programs. The day and/or dateinformation may be presented using any suitable date information formatin the various embodiments. Any information of interest may bepresented.

The program information guide bar 218 presents a single row of blocks toidentify programming provided by a single presenting station (indicatedin a channel information block on the left hand side of the singlechannel guide bar 206). Information pertaining to a currently presentedprogram is indicated in a first program information block that ishorizontally adjacent to the channel information block. Later scheduledprograms are indicated in a series of time ordered program informationblocks shown on the right hand side of the single channel guide bar 206.

In the exemplary single channel guide bar 206 of FIG. 2, the userintuitively understands that “Station Z” is presenting a series ofprograms, wherein a width of each of the program information blockscorresponds to a duration of the program identified in the respectiveprogram information block. The first program (PROGRAM Z-1) is currentlybeing presented since the enhanced EPG 106 represents the programmingavailable at the time of the user initiation of the generation of theenhanced EPG 106. The ending time of the first program (PROGRAM Z-1), asindicated by the time scale bar 216, is understood to be at 9:30 p.m.Similarly, the viewing user understands that a second program (PROGRAMZ-2) will begin at 9:30 p.m. and will conclude at midnight. A thirdprogram (PROGRAM Z-3) will begin at midnight, and conclude at 1:30 a.m.on the next day. Finally, the single channel guide bar 206 indicatesthat a fourth program (PROGRAM Z-4) will begin at 1:30 a.m. However, theprogram information guide bar 218 does not extend so far in time thatthe user is able to understand the time that the fourth program (PROGRAMZ-4) concludes.

The preview guide bar 208, here illustrated below the single channelguide bar 206, provides a region in the enhanced EPG 106 forpresentation of supplemental information. In an example embodiment, thestation that is currently being presented to the user at the time of theuser initiation of the presentation of the enhanced EPG 106 is thestation that is indicated in the single channel guide bar 206. Here, thesingle channel guide bar 206 is indicating that STATION Z is thecurrently presenting station (and thus, the reduced size video 202 isunderstood by the user to be the program that the user was viewing atthe time that the enhanced EPG 106 was generated and presented). In someembodiments, presentation of the preview guide bar 208 is optional, ispresentable in response to the user actuation one or more of thecontrollers 142 on the remote control 140, and/or is presentable basedon what particular information is currently being presented on theenhanced EPG 106.

In the example single channel guide bar 206, the channel informationblock 220 indicating the station (STATION Z) is indicated as beingfocused (highlighted) on the enhanced EPG 106. Accordingly, supplementalinformation on the focused channel information block is provided in thesingle channel guide bar 206. Here, a graphical icon 222, such as a logoor other notoriously well known trademark or the like, is presented inan optional first region 224 of the preview guide bar 208. Any suitableinformation (text, graphics, still images, thumbnail videos, or thelike) may be presented in the region 224. Alternatively, the region 224may be omitted or otherwise presented with no information (left blank).

The exemplary preview guide bar 208 includes an optional second region226 that may present textual information 228 of interest. Here, sincethe focused region of the enhanced EPG 106 corresponds to the channelinformation block indicating STATION Z, the textual information 228indicates the station name, the station call letters, and the stationcall sign. Any suitable information (text, graphics, still images,thumbnail videos, or the like) may be presented in the region 226.Alternatively, the region 226 may be omitted or otherwise presented withno information (left blank).

The exemplary preview guide bar 208 further includes an optional thirdregion 230 that may present textual information 232 of interest. Here,since the focused region of the enhanced EPG 106 corresponds to thechannel information block indicating STATION Z, the textual information232 indicates other characteristics pertaining to the station name suchat information identifying the general nature of programming provided bythe indicated station. For example, if STATION Z is presents sportingevents of a particular type of sport, the textual information mayindicate such information accordingly. Any suitable information (text,graphics, still images, thumbnail videos, or the like) may be presentedin the region 230. Alternatively, the region 230 may be omitted orotherwise presented with no information (left blank).

In the example enhanced EPG 106 that is initially presented, the focuswas directed to the channel information block identifying STATION Zbecause that station was currently presenting content when the userinitiated presentation of the enhanced EPG 106. In other embodiments,other stations may be identified in the single channel guide bar 206when the enhanced EPG 106 is initially presented. For example, but notlimited to, the indicated station selected for initial presentation inthe preview guide bar 208 may be a favorites channel or the like thathas been predefined by the user and/or has been identified by the mediadevice 102 using an intelligent learning algorithm to identify a user'sfavorite channel. Alternatively, a most watched station, a last watchedstation, a currently recording station (that is recording a scheduledprogram), or the like may be used for initial presentation in thepreview guide bar 208. Alternatively, or additionally, the stationselected for initial presentation in the preview guide bar 208 may bebased on the identity of a particular user. Here, the user may be aparent of a household, wherein their favorite station or the like isselected by the media content event information system 100 for initialpresentation in the preview guide bar 208. When another household memberis operating the media device 102 (and has therefore proved or indicatedtheir identity to the media device 102), that particular user's favoritestation or the like may be selected for initial presentation in thepreview guide bar 208.

In some embodiments, the station selected for initial presentation inthe preview guide bar 208 may be identified by embodiments of the mediacontent event information system 100 using the identity of the stationthat is presenting the currently viewed program. For example, the usermay be currently watching the program having the title “PROGRAM Z-1” atthe time that they initiate presentation of the enhanced EPG 106.Accordingly, the STATION Z is selected for initial presentation in thesingle channel guide bar 206 and/or the preview guide bar 208.

In practice, the user may navigate about the enhanced EPG 106 to obtaina variety of information. For example, the user may navigate todifferent station shown in the channel information blocks of the miniguide 204 to obtain information about the current programs that arebeing currently presented by the plurality of indicated stations shownin the mini guide 204. FIG. 3 illustrates an example enhanced EPG 106wherein the user has navigated to the mini guide 204 and has selected(focused on) the channel information block indicating STATION D, whichis currently presenting PROGRAM D-1. (Alternatively, the user may havenavigated to and then focused the program information block indicatingthat PROGRAM D-1 was currently being presented on STATION D.)

Optionally, some embodiments may transition the reduced size video 202to then present the video portion (and optionally the audio portion) ofthe PROGRAM D-1 that is being currently being presented on STATION D.Accordingly, the user may preview the program being presented on STATIOND. Here, the preview of video portion of the PROGRAM D-1 is conceptuallyillustrated as the image 302, which is a scenic view of a lake andsurrounding trees. In some embodiments, the user may be required toactuate one or more of the controllers 142 on the remote control 140 tochange the program presented in the reduced size video 202 from thecurrently watched program to the program being presented by the stationof the focused channel information block (or the focused programinformation block) indicated in the mini guide 204.

In some embodiments, when the preview video portion of a focused channelinformation block and/or a focused program information block is beingpresented in the reduced size video 202, the preview video portion 302is changed as the user navigates about the mini guide 204 using pagingand/or scrolling operations to indicate information pertaining to thecurrently focused on channel, station and/or program of the mini guide204. For example, an “up channel” function or the like may be associatedwith one of the controllers 142 on the remote control 140. When the useractuates that controller 142, the focus moves upward by one channelinformation block or program information block in the mini guide 204.Such paging and scrolling functions used to navigate about the miniguide 204 operate similarly to the paging and scrolling functions usedto navigate about a legacy EPG.

Alternatively, when the user is navigating about the mini guide 204, thecontents of the preview guide bar 208 may be modified based on a focusedchannel information block and/or program information block in the miniguide 204. Here, a smaller sized thumbnail preview image 304(corresponding to the video of the scenic view of the lake andsurrounding trees) being currently presented by the PROGRAM D-1 isindicated in the region 224 of the preview guide bar 208. Here, theimage 202 a (FIG. 1) of the currently presented program being viewedwhen the user initiated presentation of the enhanced EPG 106 maycontinue to be shown in the reduced size video 202 region of theenhanced EPG 106 while the user is concurrently viewing the previewimage 304.

Further, supplemental information pertaining to the PROGRAM D-1 isoptionally shown in the regions 226 and 230 of the modified previewguide bar 208. Any suitable information of interest pertaining to thestation of a focused channel information block and/or program of afocused program information block may be indicated in the preview guidebar 208.

Further, the contents indicated in the preview guide bar 208 may bemodified as the user navigates about the mini guide 204. Thus, the usercan be informed about content currently available on channels, stationsor programs indicated on the mini guide 204.

In an alternative embodiment, selection of (focusing on) one of thechannel guide bars of the mini guide 204 causes the preview guide bar208 to display additional information pertaining to the selectedchannel. For example, if STATION D is focused on, the graphical icon(logo or other notoriously known trademark of the like), along withother supplemental information about STATION D, may be presented in thepreview guide bar 208 (similar to the information presented in FIG. 2for STATION Z).

The user may also navigate about the single channel guide bar 206. Oneor more of the controllers 142 on the remote control 140 may beconfigured to move focus of a program information block and/or channelinformation block to an adjacent program information block and/orchannel information block. That is, the focus may be shifted in either aright hand direction or a left hand direction. For example, one of thecontrollers 142 on the remote control 140 may be associated with a moveright command (and might be indicated using a rightward pointing arrowicon or the like on the controller 142). When the user actuates such amove right command controller 142, the focus on a particular programinformation block on the single channel guide bar 206 shifts to theright by one program information block. Similarly, another one of thecontrollers 142 on the remote control 140 may be associated with a moveleft command (and might be indicated using a leftward pointing arrowicon or the like on the controller 142). When the user actuates such amove left command controller, the focus on a particular programinformation block on the single channel guide bar 206 shifts to the leftby one program information block. Paging operations on the singlechannel guide bar 206 may be made to the left or the right.

FIG. 4 conceptually illustrates a later presented enhanced EPG 106wherein the user has navigated to the program information blockassociated with the PROGRAM Z-3. Here, the program information block 402has been focused on. Here, one skilled in the art appreciates that thefocus was previously set on the program information block indicating thePROGRAM Z-2, and the user has actuated the move right command controller142, and the focus on a particular program information block on thesingle channel guide bar 206 then shifted to the right by one programinformation block to indicate the PROGRAM Z-3.

In response to focusing on the program information block 402, thecontent of the preview guide bar 208 is modified by the media contentevent information system 100. In this conceptual illustrative example,the contents of the preview guide bar 208 are modified based on afocused program information block 208 in the single channel guide bar206. Information pertinent to the particular program indicated by thefocused program information block 402 is presented in the preview guidebar 208.

Here, a smaller sized thumbnail sized preview image or video 404(illustrated as corresponding to and image or a video of a talking man)being currently presented by the PROGRAM Z-3 is indicated in the region224 of the preview guide bar 208. Here, the image 202 a (FIG. 1) of thecurrently presented program being viewed when the user initiatedpresentation of the enhanced EPG 106 may continue to be shown in thereduced size video 202 region of the enhanced EPG 106 while the user isconcurrently viewing the preview image 404. Depending on the embodimentand/or the configured operating mode, the audio portion of either theprogram associated with the focused program information block and/orchannel information block or the currently presented program beingviewed when the user initiated presentation of the enhanced EPG 106 maybe listened to by the user. In some embodiments, a stock image or videoassociated with the indicated program may be used as the thumbnail sizedpreview image or video 404, wherein such a stock image or stock video islikely to be recognizable by the viewing user.

Further, supplemental information pertaining to the PROGRAM Z-3 isoptionally shown in the regions 226 and 230 of the modified singlechannel guide bar 206. The text 406 indicates the program title,optionally indicates the episode title, and optionally indicates thefirst air date of the program. The text 408 may describe some aspect ofthe program indicated in the focused program information block 402. Anysuitable information pertaining to the program of a focused programinformation block may be indicated in the modified single channel guidebar 206.

Paging and scrolling functions used to navigate about the single channelguide bar 206 operate similarly to the paging and scrolling functionsused to navigate about a legacy EPG. For example, if the user continuesto scroll in a rightward direction to move the focus to the PROGRAM Z-4,the series of program information blocks and the time scale bar 216 willshift to the left by some amount. In an example embodiment, the programinformation blocks and the time scale bar 216 will shift to the left sothat the entirety of the program information block for PROGRAM Z-4 isindicated. Alternatively, or additionally, the program informationblocks and the time scale bar 216 will shift to the left by one or moretime units of the time scale bar 216.

Further, the user may change the station that is indicated in the singlechannel guide bar 206 in some embodiments of the media content eventinformation system 100. In an example embodiment, a channel and/orstation search pop-up menu may be presented on the display 116 in anysuitable location. In some embodiments, the pop-up window may beoverlaid a predefined region of the presented enhanced EPG 106. Thechannel and/or program of interest may then be specified by the userwhen the user actuates one or more of the controllers 142 on the remotecontrol 140. In response to the specification by the user, the contentsof the single channel guide bar 206 are modified to present informationfor the specified channel and/or station.

Additionally, some embodiments of the media content event informationsystem 100 may be configured to permit the user to scroll upward ordownward to other stations that the user intuitively appreciates isadjacent (in a legacy EPG) to the currently indicated station on thesingle channel guide bar 206. Here, the currently indicated station onthe single channel guide bar 206 is STATION Z. The user may intuitivelyknow that STATION Z+1 may be a station this is adjacent to STATION Z(for example, STATION Z may have a channel identifier of 100, and theuser understands that STATION Z+1 has a channel identifier of 101).Thus, a single scroll operation downward would change the indicatedstation from STATION Z to STATION Z+1. Similarly, a single scrolloperation upward would change the indicated station from STATION Z toSTATION Z-1. Particular ones of the controllers 142 on the remotecontrol 140 may be predefined to perform a single scrolling movementupward or a single scrolling movement downward to an adjacent nextstation. As a station change is made on the single channel guide bar206, the supplemental information presented in the preview guide bar 208changes accordingly.

FIG. 5 conceptually illustrates an alternative enhanced EPG 106 thatpresents a single channel guide bar 502. The alternative single channelguide bar 502 includes a channel information blocks that indicates aparticular station and a plurality of equal size, or substantially equalsized, program information blocks 504. Here, a width of each of theplurality of channel information blocks is predefined. Accordingly, afirst program identified in a first one of the plurality of programinformation blocks may have a first presentation duration and a secondprogram identified in a second one of the plurality of programinformation blocks may have a different second presentation duration,yet both program information blocks have the same predefined width.

In this embodiment, the user is able to view the scheduled series ofprograms that are to be provided by the indicated station, here STATIONZ. Since the width of the program information blocks 504 are relativelyshort (as compared to a program information blocks used in a legacyEPG), a greater number of programs may be indicated in the singlechannel guide bar 502. Here, the user is informed of the programschedule and the names or the like of each scheduled program.

No time scale bar is used in the alternative single channel guide bar502. Accordingly, the program information blocks 504 are presentedwithout a graphical time reference. Because there is no time referencethat controls the width of particular program information blocks, agreater number of program information blocks 504 can be presented on thesingle channel guide bar 502 (as compared to the limited number ofprogram information blocks that can be presented in a single row on alegacy EPG).

For example, the width of a program information block 504 pertaining toa two hour long movie is the same width as the width of a programinformation block 504 pertaining to a half hour long serial program. Ifthe information describing the programs scheduled for presentation arethe same or substantially the same, less area is required for theprogram information blocks 504 for the longer duration movie (ascompared to a program information block as used in a legacy EPG toindicate the two hour long movie).

If the user is interested in the particular details of one of theindicated programs, the user may focus onto that particular program.Here, FIG. 5 conceptually illustrates that the PROGRAM Z-3 has beenfocused by the user. In response to focusing onto the programinformation block 506 that indicates PROGRAM Z-3, the preview guide bar208 is modified to show particular information about the program. Forexample, the left text 508 may indicate the program duration and/or theprogram start and/or ending times of the program. In such embodiments,the supplemental information shown in the preview guide bar 208 of FIG.5 may be the same or similar to the information described above for thepreview guide bar 208 of FIG. 4. Any suitable information of interestpertaining to the station of a focused channel information block and/orprogram of a focused program information block may be indicated in thepreview guide bar 208 presented in an enhanced EPG 106 that is using thealternative single channel guide bar 502.

The exemplary reduced size video 202, the mini guide 204, the singlechannel guide bar 206/502, and the preview guide bar 208 of the exampleenhanced EPG 106 of FIGS. 2-5 may be shown in other positions inalternative embodiments of an enhanced EPG 106. For example, the singlechannel guide bar 206/502, and/or the preview guide bar 208, may bepresented at the top portion of the enhanced EPG 106. Alternatively, oradditionally, the reduced size video 202 may be presented on the lefthand side of an alternative enhanced EPG 106 and the mini guide 204 maybe shown on the right hand side of the alternative enhanced EPG 106. Insome embodiments, one or more of the reduced size video 202, the miniguide 204, the single channel guide bar 206, and the preview guide bar208 may be omitted from an alternative enhanced EPG 106.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of themedia content event information system 100 are merely possible examplesof implementations of the invention. Many variations and modificationsmay be made to the above-described embodiments. All such modificationsand variations are intended to be included herein within the scope ofthis disclosure and protected by the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving, at a mediadevice, a user request from a user to view presentation of an electronicprogram guide (EPG); accessing EPG information stored in an EPGinformation portion of a memory medium of the media device, wherein theEPG information identifies a plurality of programs that are scheduledfor broadcast, wherein the EPG information of each program indicates oneof a scheduled presentation start time and an end time of the program orthe start time and a duration of the program, and wherein the EPGinformation of each program further identifies a station that isscheduled to present the program, wherein the station is identifiedusing one of a station channel number and station call letters that areassociated with the station; generating an enhanced EPG, wherein theenhanced EPG consists of a reduced size video, a mini guide, a singlechannel guide bar and a preview guide bar; and communicating theenhanced EPG to a display, wherein the enhanced EPG is presented to theuser on the display, wherein the reduced size video presents a videoportion of a program that is currently being presented at the mediadevice when the user request to view presentation of the EPG isreceived, wherein the mini guide comprises: a plurality of first channelinformation blocks arranged in a first vertical column, wherein a widthof each of the plurality of first channel information blocks is apredefined first width, and wherein each one of the plurality of firstchannel information blocks uniquely indicates one of the stations usingat least one of its associated station channel number and station callletters; and a plurality of first program information blocks arranged ina second vertical column that is adjacent to the first vertical column,wherein each one of the plurality of first program information blocks isadjacent to and is horizontally aligned with one of the plurality offirst channel information blocks, wherein a width of each of theplurality of first program information blocks of the mini guide are asecond predefined width, wherein the second predefined width of each ofthe plurality of first program information blocks is the same, andwherein each of the first program information blocks present informationthat identifies a program that is currently being broadcast by thestation identified in the horizontally aligned and adjacent firstchannel information block, wherein the single channel guide bar consistsof: a single program information guide bar that is defined by a secondchannel information block and a plurality of second program informationblocks arranged in a row, wherein the second channel information blockidentifies a user selected station that is broadcasting the program thatis currently being presented at the media device, and wherein the secondchannel information block is the only channel information block includedin the single channel guide bar; wherein the row of the plurality ofsecond program information blocks is adjacent to and horizontallyaligned with the second channel information block, wherein each of theplurality of second program information blocks identify the programsscheduled for presentation by the selected station indicated in thesecond channel information block, and wherein the plurality of secondprogram information blocks are arranged in a time ordered sequence ofpresentation; and a time scale bar that is located adjacent to, and islocated above or below, the program information guide bar, wherein thetime scale bar is divided up by units of time, and wherein the previewguide bar comprises supplemental information, wherein in response to auser focusing on one of the plurality of first channel informationblocks of the mini guide, the preview guide bar presents supplementalinformation pertaining to the focused one of the plurality of firstchannel information blocks of the mini guide, wherein in response to theuser focusing on the channel information block of the preview guide bar,the preview guide bar presents supplemental information pertaining tothe focused station, and wherein in response to the user focusing on oneof the plurality of second program information blocks of the previewguide bar, the preview guide bar presents pertaining to the program thatcorresponds to the focused one of the plurality of second programinformation blocks.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the units of timecorrespond to at least one of an hour and a half hour, wherein the unitsof time of the time scale bar correspond to the start time and the endtime of each of the programs identified in the plurality of secondprogram information blocks, and wherein a width of each of the secondprogram information blocks corresponds to a duration of the programidentified in the respective second program information block.
 3. Amethod, comprising: receiving, at a media device, a user request from auser to view presentation of an electronic program guide (EPG);accessing EPG information stored in an EPG information portion of amemory medium of the media device, wherein the EPG informationidentifies a plurality of programs that are scheduled for broadcast,wherein the EPG information of each program indicates one of a scheduledpresentation start time and an end time of the program or the start timeand a duration of the program, and wherein the EPG information of eachprogram further identifies a station that is scheduled to present theprogram, wherein the station is identified using one of a stationchannel number and station call letters that are associated with thestation; generating an enhanced EPG, wherein the enhanced EPG consistsof a reduced size video, a mini guide, a single channel guide bar and apreview guide bar; and communicating the enhanced EPG to a display,wherein the enhanced EPG is presented to the user on the display,wherein the reduced size video presents a video portion of a programthat is currently being presented at the media device when the userrequest to view presentation of the EPG is received, wherein the miniguide comprises: a plurality of first channel information blocksarranged in a first vertical column, wherein a width of each of theplurality of first channel information blocks is a predefined firstwidth, and wherein each one of the plurality of first channelinformation blocks uniquely indicates one of the stations using at leastone of its associated station channel number and station call letters;and the plurality of first program information blocks arranged in asecond vertical column that is adjacent to the first vertical column,wherein each one of the plurality of first program information blocks isadjacent to and is horizontally aligned with one of the plurality offirst channel information blocks, and wherein each of the first programinformation blocks present information that identifies a program that iscurrently being broadcast by the station identified in the horizontallyaligned and adjacent first channel information block; wherein the singlechannel guide bar consists of a second channel information block and aplurality of second program information blocks arranged in a row:wherein the second channel information block identifies a user selectedstation that is broadcasting the program that is currently beingpresented at the media device, wherein the row of program informationblocks is adjacent to and horizontally aligned with the second channelinformation block, wherein each of the plurality of second programinformation blocks identify the programs scheduled for presentation bythe selected station indicated in the second channel information block,wherein the plurality of second program information blocks are arrangedin a time ordered sequence of presentation, wherein a width of each ofthe plurality of second program information blocks of the single channelguide bar is predefined, wherein the predefined width of each of theplurality of second program information blocks is the same, wherein afirst program identified in a first one of the plurality of secondprogram information blocks has a first presentation duration, andwherein a second program identified in a second one of the plurality ofsecond program information blocks has a second presentation durationthat is different from the first presentation duration of the firstprogram; and wherein the preview guide bar comprises supplementalinformation, wherein in response to a user focusing on one of theplurality of first channel information blocks of the mini guide, thepreview guide bar presents supplemental information pertaining to thefocused one of the plurality of first channel information blocks of themini guide, wherein in response to the user focusing on the channelinformation block of the preview guide bar, the preview guide barpresents supplemental information pertaining to the focused station, andwherein in response to the user focusing on one of the plurality ofsecond program information blocks of the preview guide bar, the previewguide bar presents pertaining to the program that corresponds to thefocused one of the plurality of second program information blocks. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein in response to the user focusing on thechannel information block of the preview guide bar, the preview guidebar further presents supplemental information pertaining to the programthat is currently being presented by the station associated with thefocused on channel information block of the preview guide bar.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the received user request to viewpresentation of the EPG is a first user request, the method furthercomprising: receiving a second user request during presentation of theenhanced EPG, wherein the second user request corresponds to a selectionof one of the plurality of first channel information blocks indicated onthe mini guide; and presenting a preview image on a region of thepreview guide bar, wherein the preview image is one of a thumbnail sizestill image and a thumbnail size video, and wherein the presented stillimage or thumbnail size video corresponds to the program that iscurrently being presented by the station identified in the selected oneof the plurality of first channel information blocks indicated on themini guide.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the received user requestto view presentation of the EPG is a first user request, the methodfurther comprising: receiving a second user request during presentationof the enhanced EPG, wherein the second user request corresponds to aselection of one of the plurality of first channel information blocksindicated on the mini guide; and presenting supplemental informationdescribing the station identified in the selected one of the pluralityof first channel information blocks on a region of the preview guidebar.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein the received user request to viewpresentation of the EPG is a first user request, the method furthercomprising: receiving a second user request during presentation of theenhanced EPG, wherein the second user request corresponds to a selectionof one of the plurality of first program information blocks indicated onthe mini guide; and presenting a preview image on a region of thepreview guide bar, wherein the preview image is one of a thumbnail sizestill image and a thumbnail size video, and wherein the presented stillimage or thumbnail size video corresponds to the program that isidentified in the selected one of the plurality of first programinformation blocks indicated on the mini guide.
 8. The method of claim4, wherein the received user request to view presentation of the EPG isa first user request, the method further comprising: receiving a seconduser request during presentation of the enhanced EPG, wherein the seconduser request corresponds to a selection of one of the plurality ofsecond program information blocks indicated on the single channel guidebar; and presenting a preview image on a region of the preview guidebar, wherein the preview image is one of a thumbnail size still imageand a thumbnail size video, and wherein the presented still image orthumbnail size video corresponds to the program that is identified inthe selected one of the plurality of second program information blocksindicated on the single channel guide bar.
 9. The method of claim 4,wherein the received user request to view presentation of the EPG is afirst user request, the method further comprising: receiving a seconduser request during presentation of the enhanced EPG, wherein the seconduser request corresponds to a selection of the second channelinformation block indicated on the single channel guide bar; andpresenting supplemental information describing the station identified inthe selected second channel information block on a region of the previewguide bar.
 10. The method of claim 4, wherein the received user requestto view presentation of the EPG is a first user request, wherein thestation identified in the second channel information block is a firststation, the method further comprising: receiving a second user requestduring presentation of the enhanced EPG, wherein the second user requestcorresponds to a selection of the second channel information blockindicated on the single channel guide bar; and indicating on the singlechannel guide bar that the selected second channel information block hasbeen selected; receiving a third user request, wherein the third userrequest corresponds to a selection of a scroll upward command;indicating a second station in the second channel information block inresponse to receiving the third user request; and presentingsupplemental information describing the station identified in theselected second channel information block on a region of the previewguide bar.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the received user requestto view presentation of the EPG is a first user request, the methodfurther comprising: receiving a second user request during presentationof the enhanced EPG, wherein the second user request corresponds to aselection of one of the plurality of first channel information blocksindicated on the mini guide; and changing presentation of the reducedsize video to present a video portion of a program that is currentlybeing presented by the station identified in the selected one of theplurality of first channel information blocks indicated on the miniguide.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the received user request toview presentation of the EPG is a first user request, the method furthercomprising: receiving a second user request during presentation of theenhanced EPG, wherein the second user request corresponds to a selectionof one of the plurality of first program information blocks indicated onthe mini guide; and changing presentation of the reduced size video topresent the video portion of the program that is currently beingpresented by the station identified in the selected one of the pluralityof first program information blocks indicated on the mini guide.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the received user request to viewpresentation of the EPG is a first user request, the method furthercomprising: receiving a second user request during presentation of theenhanced EPG, wherein the second user request corresponds to a selectionof one of the plurality of second program information blocks indicatedon the single channel guide bar; and changing presentation of thereduced size video to present the video portion of the program that iscurrently being presented by the station identified in the selected oneof the plurality of second program information blocks indicated on thesingle channel guide bar.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein a firstprogram identified in a first one of the plurality of first programinformation blocks has a first presentation duration, and wherein asecond program identified in a second one of the plurality of firstprogram information blocks has a second presentation duration that isdifferent from the first presentation duration of the first program. 15.The method of claim 1, wherein the received user request to viewpresentation of the EPG is a first user request, wherein the stationidentified in the second channel information block is a first station,the method further comprising: receiving a second user request duringpresentation of the enhanced EPG, wherein the second user requestcorresponds to a selection of the second channel information blockindicated on the single channel guide bar; and indicating on the singlechannel guide bar that the selected second channel information block hasbeen selected; receiving a third user request, wherein the third userrequest corresponds to a selection of a scroll upward command;indicating a second station in the second channel information block inresponse to receiving the third user request; and changing presentationof the reduced size video to present the video portion of the programthat is currently being presented by the second station.
 16. A mediadevice comprising: a remote interface configured to receive userspecifications from a user during presentation of a program; a mediacontent stream interface configured to receive programs that arebroadcast to a plurality of media devices via a broadcast system; amemory medium configured to store electronic program guide (EPG)information, wherein the EPG information identifies a plurality ofprograms that are scheduled for broadcast, wherein the EPG informationof each program indicates one of a scheduled presentation start time andan end time of each program or the start time and a duration of theprogram, and wherein the EPG information of each program furtheridentifies a station that is scheduled to present the program, whereinthe station is identified using one of a station channel number andstation call letters that are associated with the station; and aprocessor system communicatively coupled to the remote interface, themedia content stream interface, and the memory medium, wherein theprocessor system is configured to: receive a user request to viewpresentation of an electronic program guide (EPG); access the EPGinformation stored in the memory medium; generating an enhanced EPG,wherein the enhanced EPG consists of a reduced size video, a mini guide,a single channel guide bar and a preview guide bar; and communicatingthe enhanced EPG to a display, wherein the enhanced EPG is presented tothe user on the display, wherein the mini guide comprises: at least oneregion that consists of a plurality of first channel information blocksarranged in a first vertical column and a plurality of first programinformation blocks arranged in a second vertical column that is adjacentto the first vertical column, wherein a width of each of the pluralityof first channel information blocks is a predefined first width, andwherein each one of the plurality of channel information blocks uniquelyindicates one of the stations using at least one of the associatedstation channel number and station call letters; and wherein a width ofeach of the plurality of first program information blocks is apredefined second width that is the same for each of the plurality offirst program information blocks, wherein each one of the plurality offirst program information blocks is adjacent to and is horizontallyaligned with one of the plurality of first channel information blocks,and wherein each of the first program information blocks presentinformation that identifies a program that is currently being broadcastby the station identified in the horizontally aligned and adjacent firstchannel information block, wherein the single channel guide barcomprises: a second channel information block, wherein the secondchannel information block identifies a user selected station that isbroadcasting the program that is currently being presented at the mediadevice, and wherein the second channel information block is the onlychannel information block included in the single channel guide bar; anda plurality of second program information blocks arranged in a row,wherein the row of program information blocks is adjacent to andhorizontally aligned with the second channel information block, whereineach of the plurality of second program information blocks identifyprograms scheduled for presentation by the selected station indicated inthe second channel information block, and wherein the plurality ofsecond program information blocks are arranged in a time orderedsequence of presentation, and wherein the preview guide bar comprisessupplemental information, wherein in response to a user focusing on oneof the plurality of first channel information blocks of the mini guide,the preview guide bar presents supplemental information pertaining tothe focused one of the plurality of first channel information blocks ofthe mini guide, wherein in response to the user focusing on the channelinformation block of the preview guide bar, the preview guide barpresents supplemental information pertaining to the focused station, andwherein in response to the user focusing on one of the plurality ofsecond program information blocks of the preview guide bar, the previewguide bar presents pertaining to the program that corresponds to thefocused one of the plurality of second program information blocks. 17.The media device of claim 16, wherein the single channel guide barincludes a program information guide bar, wherein the second channelinformation block and the plurality of second program information blocksarranged in a row adjacent to and horizontally aligned with the secondchannel information block reside in the program information guide bar,and wherein the single channel guide bar further comprises: a time scalebar that is located adjacent to, and is located above or below, theprogram information guide bar, wherein the time scale bar is divided upby units of time corresponding to at least one of an hour and a halfhour, wherein the units of time of the time scale bar correspond to astart time and an end time of each of the programs identified in theplurality of second program information blocks, and wherein a width ofeach of the second program information blocks corresponds to a durationof the program identified in the respective second program informationblock.
 18. The media device of claim 16, wherein a width of each of theplurality of second program information blocks of the single channelguide bar is predefined, wherein the predefined width of each of theplurality of second program information blocks is the same, wherein afirst program identified in a first one of the plurality of secondprogram information blocks has a first presentation duration, andwherein a second program identified in a second one of the plurality ofsecond program information blocks has a second presentation durationthat is different from the first presentation duration of the firstprogram.
 19. The media device of claim 16, wherein in response to theuser focusing on the channel information block of the preview guide bar,the preview guide bar further presents supplemental informationpertaining to the program that is currently being presented by thestation associated with the focused on channel information block of thepreview guide bar.
 20. The media device of claim 16, wherein thereceived user request to view presentation of the EPG is a first userrequest, wherein the processor system is further configured to: receivea second user request during presentation of the enhanced EPG, whereinthe second user request corresponds to a selection of one of theplurality of first channel information blocks indicated on the miniguide and the second channel information block of the single channelguide bar; and present supplemental information describing the stationidentified in the selected one of the plurality of first channelinformation blocks or the second channel block on a region of a previewguide bar.
 21. The method of claim 1, wherein the reduced size videoresides in a first portion of the enhanced EPG, wherein the mini guideresides in a second portion of the enhanced EPG, wherein the singlechannel guide bar resides in a third portion of the enhanced EPG, andwherein the first portion, the second portion and the third portion ofthe enhanced EPG reside in different locations of the enhanced EPG.